Cleveland Browns: Danny Shelton beating unrealistic expectations

Expectations of Shelton need to change. No longer is Shelton being asked to “make plays” using his freak natural ability. Now he is being asked to use proper technique within his assignment. So far, his assignments have been to take up blockers allowing linebackers to run free.

Shelton needs to improve in areas of technique and scheme recognition. Specifically, he needs to get out in front of the zone run scheme and he needs to anchor against double teams. But both of those will come with time and proper coaching. The progress he made from preseason Week 1 to Week 2 should lead Browns fans to be optimistic.

However, his assignment in Horton’s defense will not lead to “big plays” or to him filling up a stat sheet. A typical nose tackle does not fill up a stat sheet, lead the team in tackles or make big plays.

A nose tackle is judged not by big plays but by how many blocks he can take up. How well does he fight off double teams allowing linebackers to run free? How well can he collapse the pocket forcing quarterbacks to step back into an edge rusher? How well he can create a pile in the middle of the line forcing inside runs to bounce outside into the arms of an outside linebacker?

Instead of expecting big plays and gaudy stats from Shelton, he needs to be judged on how well he can plug up the middle so others can make plays. When the fans and media judge Shelton on these terms, they will find a player progressing at his position. What more can realistically be asked of a second-year player?